Uber rolls out new perks for drivers
Uber may be increasing its testing of self-driving cars, but it still has plenty of work to do to keep its human drivers happy.
The ride-sharing leader announced a host of new initiatives that are sure to please drivers, giving them more control over the rides they drive.
The moves, which the company started rolling out this week, run the gamut in improving the Uber driving experience. One new feature allows Uber drivers to pause new requests from coming in while they are finishing a route, while a second lets drivers set a "driver destination," or letting a driver twice a day input where they want to go and matching them only with riders on that route.
Uber has been experimenting with the destinations tool in a variety of cities to date, but will be making it more broadly available through the new update.
The company also announced an expansion of its plan to pay drivers who wait more than two minutes for a rider, charging riders who aren't ready when their Uber arrives. Uber has been doing this in a variety of U.S. cities, including Dallas, Phoenix and New York since April. In its blog post announcing the moves, they say in areas where have this fee is used, riders tend to be more prompt.
USA TODAY
Uber tests self-driving cars in Pittsburgh
There are also new perks coming to Uber drivers, including discounts for when they want to become passengers. Completing 10 trips in a week will get a driver 15% off an uberX ride, while doing 20 trips in a week will net 50% off an UberBLACK ride.
A new earnings program and debit card created in partnership with GoBank will allow drivers to get paid instantly while an opening of more "Greenlight" locations (it currently operates 250 locations) will allow drivers to get in-person help when needed.
Uber didn't elaborate on when or where the new features and initiatives will hit all of its drivers, instead promising a gradual roll out to more US and international cities.
It's been a busy few weeks for Uber. Last month, the company struck a partnership and received an investment from Toyota, and announced earlier this month it had received a $3.5 billion investment from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, giving the company a valuation of $62 billion.
Late last week, Uber announced a partnership with Walmart to trial same-day grocery deliveries to Phoenix area residents
Uber may be increasing its testing of self-driving cars, but it still has plenty of work to do to keep its human drivers happy.
The ride-sharing leader announced a host of new initiatives that are sure to please drivers, giving them more control over the rides they drive.
The moves, which the company started rolling out this week, run the gamut in improving the Uber driving experience. One new feature allows Uber drivers to pause new requests from coming in while they are finishing a route, while a second lets drivers set a "driver destination," or letting a driver twice a day input where they want to go and matching them only with riders on that route.
Uber has been experimenting with the destinations tool in a variety of cities to date, but will be making it more broadly available through the new update.
The company also announced an expansion of its plan to pay drivers who wait more than two minutes for a rider, charging riders who aren't ready when their Uber arrives. Uber has been doing this in a variety of U.S. cities, including Dallas, Phoenix and New York since April. In its blog post announcing the moves, they say in areas where have this fee is used, riders tend to be more prompt.
USA TODAY
Uber tests self-driving cars in Pittsburgh
There are also new perks coming to Uber drivers, including discounts for when they want to become passengers. Completing 10 trips in a week will get a driver 15% off an uberX ride, while doing 20 trips in a week will net 50% off an UberBLACK ride.
A new earnings program and debit card created in partnership with GoBank will allow drivers to get paid instantly while an opening of more "Greenlight" locations (it currently operates 250 locations) will allow drivers to get in-person help when needed.
Uber didn't elaborate on when or where the new features and initiatives will hit all of its drivers, instead promising a gradual roll out to more US and international cities.
It's been a busy few weeks for Uber. Last month, the company struck a partnership and received an investment from Toyota, and announced earlier this month it had received a $3.5 billion investment from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, giving the company a valuation of $62 billion.
Late last week, Uber announced a partnership with Walmart to trial same-day grocery deliveries to Phoenix area residents
